FC Sevilla's Puerta seriously ill after collapse
MADRID, Aug 26 (Reuters) - The prognosis for Sevilla player Antonio
Puerta remains 'very serious' following his collapse and loss of
consciousness during his side's league match against Getafe on
Saturday.
'Antonio Puerta remains under sedation in the intensive care unit,
with assisted ventilation and haemodynamic instability,' said a
medical report issued by the Virgen del Rocio hospital in Seville
on Sunday.
'We will issue another report tomorrow unless there are further
incidents to report.'
Earlier, doctors had said the prognosis for the 22-year-old Spanish
international was 'very serious'.
However, Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido said doctors were
becoming more optimistic.
'The player's life was saved thanks to the rapid intervention of
the club doctors and the Red Cross because he had a number of
cardiac arrests,' del Nido was quoted as saying on the club's
website after visiting Puerta on Sunday.
'Despite the severity of the situation his situation appears to be
evolving favourably and the doctors are becoming more
optimistic.'
Puerta collapsed after jogging back towards his own goal 35 minutes
into the game at the Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday.
Team mates and medical staff rushed to his side and were seen
preventing him from swallowing his tongue as he lost
consciousness.
He was able to walk from the pitch but doctors said that he
collapsed again in the changing rooms and had to be given cardiac
resuscitation before being taken to hospital.
AC Milan, Sevilla's opponents in next week's European Super Cup
issued a statement on Sunday wishing the player a speedy
recovery.
